Garden Column for the Salisbury Post

Darrell Blackwelder

August 6, 2001

     Peach, plum, cherry and other stone fruit trees, including
ornamentals, are susceptible to attack from peach tree borer in
late summer and early fall. Borers don't discriminate attacking
both young or old trees,  however the insect is usually attracted
primarily to diseased or stressed trees. Severe infestations can
weaken the tree to the point of death.
     Borers can be identified on the tree by yellow-orange jelly-
like sap or gum flowing at the base of the tree. Damage may often
go unnoticed making control difficult.
    Lesser peach tree borers attack higher on the scaffold limbs.
Poor growth or cold damage are sometimes confused with lesser
borer damage.
      Adult borers are clear-winged moths with a black body and
an orange stripe around the abdomen.  The adults appear from May
to November. The adults will mate and the female lays several
hundred eggs in the cracks and crevices near the base of the
tree. The eggs hatch in 10 days and begin boring into the bark.
	Regular fruit tree preventative sprays that containing
insecticides help control the insect.  Healthy, vigorously
growing trees have a better chance of survival from insect
infestation.
     Spraying during the first week of September is best since
this is usually when peak insect emergence occurs.  Two sprays,
one week apart with the insecticide, Thiodane, controls the pest.
Spray the trunks and lower limbs thoroughly with two applications
one week apart.
     Pesticides will not control the borers once inside the bark.
Borers can be physically removed with a wire or small pocket
knife. This process will be helpful, but it seldom possible to
find all the borers.  Fruit trees that are healthy and well pruned
have a good chance of surviving an attract.  Trees that are weakened by
borer
attacks are subject to infestations from other insect and disease
problems.
    Always read and understand the label before applying any
pesticide.  Contact the Cooperative Extension Service at 704-633-
0571 should you have any questions about applying pesticides.